The Wanted

by Rory Miles

  The door burst open and Sloan found me groaning on the floor.

  “What the hell?” The anger in his voice was directed at me. “You said you were prepared.”

  Still recovering from the blast, I grimaced when I shook my head. “No, I said I was more equipped for the unexpected. There’s a big difference there.”

  When I moved to push off the floor, my breath hissed out of me when something sliced into my palm. The house was completely destroyed. The figurines were fractured, no longer green but blue as I remembered them. I dug out the piece of porcelain that stuck in my skin, frowning at the damage. Lumi had absorbed the illusion and should have protected the room from any sort of residual blast. The broken furniture and glass had been here before. The illusion I’d broken revealed the remnants of Mrs. Draper’s house.

  The walls were filled with holes, and the fragile decorations on shelves were all cracked or broken. Sloan squatted, porcelain and glass crunching under his shoes, and inspected my hand. What little bit of healing power he had sealed the cut; a faint pink line was all that remained when the magic faded.

  “I’m guessing she didn’t die of natural causes.” Sloan’s gaze traveled around the living room, resting on the startling dark blue bruises under her eyes. The magic must have been spelled to cover those as well. I grimaced, shaking my head. Only one poison would cause that type of bruising if given in large doses—Milly’s. All signs pointed to one person.

  Daman.

  After the undertaker arrived, he called in the palace authorities. When they showed up, they inspected the damage and interviewed us. Once they finished the questioning and determined we were innocent, we were sent on our way. Sloan’s shoulders were hunched and his hands were stuffed into his pockets. Neither of us spoke.

  Knowing Mrs. Draper hadn’t passed peacefully made her death all the more disturbing. She’d lived a long life so her death was to be expected, just not in such a violent, tormented way.

  A lot of people showed up for the memorial we held for her a few days later. She had no living relatives, but a few friends and those of us that helped take care of her were there. A woman—the same one from my date with Erik—sang a song while we laid flowers on her grave in Forest City Cemetery. When it was my turn, I placed the red rose on the soil, whispering a solemn goodbye. Guilt rolled around my mind. Whoever had hurt her had been sent by Daman, I had no doubt about that. If not for me, she’d still be alive.

  Bron hugged me to his side when I returned to the group. I blinked back tears while an older woman talked about her friendship with Mrs. Draper. Her life had been full of adventure and trouble, and from this lady’s speech, her husband had been her anchor. At least now, hopefully, they would be together. All religious texts gave a vague description of what came after life, but nothing was for certain. When the women finished speaking the bishop recited the sacred words.

  “From flesh to spirit but never forgotten.”

  “Bless thy journey,” our voices rose as one.

  He placed two fingers over his heart. We mirrored the movement.

  “Goddess bless.”

  I spoke the same words on a whispered breath.

  After the bishop dismissed us, our group went back to the cottage. We didn’t know her well enough to stay and socialize with her friends. Sloan had made up some sandwiches and finger foods before we left for the memorial. We ate dinner, standing around the kitchen. The bread was dry in my mouth, or maybe that was the grief.

  The men would leave soon. I couldn’t leave the business with a clear conscience. Red was capable, but still so young. With her schooling, it wouldn’t make sense to give her such a big responsibility.

  There was only one option. The men would have to go without me and I’d be alone again. The idea shouldn’t have bugged me, since I had spent a great deal of time on my own, but it did. I’d grown used to having friends, and my relationship with five of them was just beginning. What would happen if they left?

  This is why I shouldn’t have started dating them. Caring for people only led to heartache. I should have known better. Curse my foolish heart.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  A solemn silence pervaded the forest. I accompanied the men to the cave, walking along with them and smiling like my stomach wasn’t turning the closer we got to the portal. Planned visits wouldn’t be enough to placate me. Living in the cottage alone, after living with the seven of them, would be strange at best, lonely and depressing at worst. When I’d lived in Desert City, I’d grown used to an empty house. But now, since learning to enjoy the noise and chaos of living with them, I didn’t want to be on my own.

  Moping. I knew that’s what I was doing, but I couldn’t seem to shake it off. Exercise would help; as soon as I got back, I’d go for a run.

  Bron and Corban led the group, packs full of supplies on their back. Erik and Noah walked next to me, occasionally asking questions to try and draw me into a conversation but my heart wasn’t in it. Sloan and Shawn were carrying the makeshift cots they’d found. Seven collapsible cots, hide stretched over wooden rails that pulled the material taut when fully extended. The beds weren’t ideal but they were better than sleeping on stone.

  Bron had volunteered Kace to push the wheelbarrow full of random necessities—weapons, food, water, and clothes. The scowl on his face was hard to ignore, and despite our new friendship, I didn’t feel bad. Neither did anyone else. He’d been a jerk.

  Without much fanfare, we reached the portal. Kace dropped the handles and rubbed at his palms, which were red and callused.

  “Ready?” Bron asked, giving him a second to recuperate.

  “Yeah.” He picked up the handles and pushed the cart to the front of the line.

  He and Bron stepped through the portal, their bodies here one second and gone the next. I watched in fascination as Corban stepped through. Getting used to step travel was going to take time. Though I couldn’t deny it was easier to travel like this.

  Noah went next. Erik cupped my elbow, guiding me toward the portal. We pushed through the magic, that weird suction sensation pulling at us until we popped out on the other side. Sloan and Shawn came next, lingering near the edge of the cliff as it wasn’t meant to hold eight people loaded down with supplies.

  We walked into the cave, the men grunting and tugging at their packs when the path narrowed. Kace cursed and had to tilt the cart in order to fit through. The entire thing would have been comical if it hadn’t meant they’d be staying.

  Erik stopped in front of me, causing me to bump into his back.

  “What the shit, man?” Shawn scolded him when he nearly knocked me over.

  Erik scooted out of the way, allowing the last of us to filter into the large, cavernous room. Bron stood facing the purple glowing gate . . . And Orval? What the hell was he doing here? A woman with blond hair and a particularly ridiculous dress on stood and stepped closer to him like we were the ones to fear and he would protect her. Orval’s piercing gaze swept over our group, lingering on me for a heartbeat, like he recognized me from our past interaction, before returning to Bron.

  “We haven’t had any incidents.” His voice was deep and slightly terrifying as it echoed around the cave and slithered down my spine. The hairs on the back of my neck stood at attention, warning me danger was near. Orval hadn’t changed, still as tall and burly as I remembered. His full beard even managed to be menacing.

  “That’s good.” Bron gestured Kace, Shawn and Noah forward and introduced them. Then he turned to me, raising his brow. I stepped up, keeping a blank look on my face. There was no way he knew about Red, right?

  I thrust my hand toward the woman, going for the least scary person first. “I’m Winter.”

  She shook my hand, mouth twitching when Bron and Orval frowned at me.

  “Dawn.” Her voice was light and playful, but her eyes held a hardness I recognized. This woman didn’t put up with bullshit.

  “Oh shit,” I said when I realized, eyes flicking to Orv
al.

  He grimaced, which set his jaw to twitching. “So, you know then.”

  Forgetting who he was for a second, I placed my hand on my hip and gave him a look.

  “Of course I know. Everyone who’s anyone knows.”

  “But everyone who’s anyone knows if I know, the rest should forget.”

  “What?” Erik asked.

  I ignored him. “If you know, why don’t you do something about it?”

  Dawn’s eyes clouded with confusion.

  “Do you think it’s contagious?” Corban whispered to Noah, smirking at Orval and me. “The stupid?”

  A deep rumbling growl from the beast of a man in front of me shut him up.

  “Ignore them.” I waved my hand at them. “What are you doing here?”

  His eyes flashed. “I don’t report to you.”

  Hm. Curious. Did he know what I did or was he just being angry?

  “I don’t understand why you didn’t take her in.”

  Dawn made a noise, glaring at Orval like she suddenly understood what we were talking about. She took a step away from him, like up until this very second standing so close to him hadn’t bothered her. She didn’t know he knew about the bounty, but somehow she knew about it.

  “What I do and don’t do is none of your concern.” He tugged at one of the wooden daggers in his ears. “You sending my baby sister out on jobs, though, that is my concern.”

  My face flushed and my heart skipped a beat.

  “She’s really good,” I responded, pretending like he didn’t petrify me.

  “I know,” he bit out. “She should be focusing on school.”

  “Red is really smart. She hasn’t had any issues with school.”

  “That isn’t the point. She isn’t going to be a bounty hunter.”

  I felt my eye twitch. Why did men always try to dictate what a woman could and couldn’t do?

  “Oof. Here we go,” Erik said, knowing me all too well.

  “Your sister is a big girl. If she wants to be a bounty hunter, no one is going to stop her. You should be happy she’s working with me and not some sleazy guy who’ll try to get into her pants.”

  Dawn placed a hand on his arm when he started toward me, holding him back. “Don’t. She’s right.”

  He turned his angry glare on her. The woman didn’t even flinch. She had balls—big, giant balls. My hands were trembling. From fear or anger, I couldn’t be certain, but my pride wanted to say anger. Dawn stepped toward him, shoving a finger into his chest.

  “I’m not in the mood for your attitude.”

  My fingers closed over my shooter. Bron grabbed my arm, holding me in place. Orval deflated just as I shoved away from Bron, preparing to shoot Orval if he tried anything.

  “I’m sorry, I should have told you.”

  What the heck? He backed down to her and apologized? To her credit, she did look livid . . . but Orval was a beast. Nothing made sense right now. These were the people the goddess had sent to guard the cave while the men rested. I didn’t believe in coincidences. The money Maligna put up for Dawn’s return had been suspect. Now, here she was, scolding the best bounty hunter in the lands and he actually backed down from her.

  “Was it all a lie?”

  He looked near panic, reaching for Dawn when she backed away from him with a disgusted look.

  “No. I knew about the bounty but I never lied to you.”

  She shook her head, moisture pooling in her blue eyes. “How can I trust that?”

  Rule number ten: Trust no one.

  Bron and I shared a look. Whatever questions I had could wait. After setting his pack down, he gestured for us to go outside. Wanting nothing more than to escape the spat between . . . whatever they were to each other, I followed him.

  The sun shone down, now at its peak, the light blinding after the dark cave.

  “What was that about?” Noah asked, leaning against the cave entrance.

  “She’s a mark. He’s a bounty hunter but he didn’t take her in.”

  Corban nodded. “I’m guessing she knew she was a mark but didn’t suspect Orval would be after her?”

  I shrugged. “I think so. She was pretty mad and he is the best of the best. It doesn’t make sense.”

  Bron rubbed a hand over his jaw, smiling at me. “Sometimes women make men do strange things.”

  “There have been plenty of other women he’s captured. That isn’t it. The whole job doesn’t make sense. Why would Queen Maligna put out such a large bounty on her?”

  Shawn frowned. “Is she dangerous?”

  “No,” I said even though I wasn’t sure, but I knew what he was worried about. The gate. If they’d wanted to open the gate, it would already be done. They’d been here for three weeks, and as far as I could tell, the gate hadn’t changed.

  Kace chuckled when her voice, shrill and annoyed, carried out of the cave.

  “This is exactly why I’m single.”

  Erik barked out a laugh, almost agreeing with him before he caught the look I shot him, the smile on his lips dying. Kace, as though I’d just proven his point, smirked at him.

  A few minutes later, after the yelling subsided and the heat became uncomfortable, we went back in. Orval sat on a small rock, chin resting on his fist and looking forlorn. Dawn wiped at her cheeks, furiously scrubbing the tears away before looking at me with her fierce blue eyes.

  “We should talk,” she said, pulling back her shoulders and putting on a brave face.

  “Okay.”

  When Dawn finished her story, I rubbed at my temples. “Let me make sure I understand. Maligna’s deceased husband sexually assaulted your sister. The queen walked in on it. Decided to kill him, but your sister saw her do it?”

  Dawn nodded, lines of anger marring her pretty face. “When she came home, she didn’t speak much but she told me what happened. When Regent Baleigh requested her as his bride, my parents were in no position to refuse. We didn’t know he’d been Maligna’s lover for a short time.”

  “She destroyed Stone Keep because he got married?”

  Her shoulder lifted. “Maybe. Her anger was fresh. I’m not so certain they parted on the best of terms. Either way, she’s a psycho who is hell bent on making my family pay for what Baleigh did to her.”

  “I wanted the money, but after I found her, I knew she hadn’t done anything criminal.” Orval rubbed her shoulder. “Then when I decided to bail on the job, I couldn’t leave her alone.” He gave her a warm smile before turning cold, pissed-off eyes on me.

  A shiver rippled up my spine. Did he really blame me for Dawn’s anger? He was the liar.

  “I won’t let you take her.” The half-crazed look he gave me made me take a step back.

  Bron wrapped his arms around my stomach, his body warm with the same sort of possessiveness. He didn’t need to say anything: the warning was clear. Dawn said his name softly and Orval looked away from me, grinding his teeth in frustration. She shook her head, silently communicating something to him. His lips twitched up again before he caught it and could wipe any trace of emotion from his face.

  Possibly the scariest man I’d ever encountered had a soft side, and somehow that made him all the more terrifying. I pitied whoever tried to take Dawn from him.

  “My sister,” Dawn said, drawing our collective attention away from Orval, “she’s missing.”

  “I’m pretty good at finding people,” I offered, ignoring Orval’s glare. Yeah, he was good too but something told me she needed a woman around. All that testosterone had to be driving her crazy.

  “What about the business?” Sloan asked.

  “I’m sure Red can handle it.”

  I didn’t miss the frowns. Giving Red control of the business so I could sit in a cave while the men did their job wasn’t enough for me. Being useful and helping Dawn find her sister? Yeah, I’d let Red control the business for a short while.

  “Really? You’d help me?”

  I smiled at her. “Of course. It’s w
hat I do.”

  Orval sighed. “I suppose you realize that I’m perfectly capable of finding your sister without her help?”

  “Yes, but the goddess gave you a job.”

  He frowned. “They’re here now.”

  “She said you needed to stay.” Dawn shook her head as she spoke. “You can’t ignore the request. It’s an honor.”

  Orval clearly didn’t share the same sentiment. “Sitting here and waiting for something that might happen is an honor?” He scoffed. “I’m coming with you.”

  “If you come with, I’ll be pissed at you forever.”

  A ripple of surprise and . . . hurt passed over his face. It didn’t take a genius to piece together what was happening. He had lied to her and she was mad. She insisted on putting some distance between them. Dawn needed space. Orval seemed to finally understand.

  “I hope you find your sister.” He avoided meeting her gaze, leaving the tunnel after he’d said the words.

  Dawn’s face contorted in pain. She took a step to follow him but then stopped, glancing around at us. When her eyes met mine, I shrugged.

  “He’ll be okay.”

  She nodded, accepting my flimsy reassurance. I didn’t know Orval. For all I knew he was off to murder people in a fit of rage.

  Their goodbye was stilted, but Orval seemed to forgive Dawn for leaving. He didn’t like it, the frown and death-glares he shot at me said as much, but he wasn’t going to stop her. I realized I might not be the smartest person in the world considering I’d already managed to piss him off by letting Red work for me. Now I was taking his girlfriend (if that was even what they were) away from him.

  “I don’t like this,” Corban said. His arms wrapped me in a quick hug before he stepped back.